Small Business

Those who operate a small business typically wear a lot of hats, but it is important to know when to seek help from time to time, whether it be a CPA, a consultant, a marketing expert, or a lawyer. Starting and running a small business requires a very broad skill set, a lot of time, dedication and passion. Small businesses encounter many different challenges.

No matter what stage of business you are in, from start up and proactive strategic planning, to years of operations, at Schmeltzer Law I can assist you with many small business and contract matters, including business structure at start-up, operating agreements and contract or partner disputes.

Small Business Attorney MI

Small Business

Those who operate a small business typically wear a lot of hats, but it is important to know when to seek help from time to time, whether it be a CPA, a consultant, a marketing expert, or a lawyer.  Starting and running a small business requires a very broad skill set, a lot of time, dedication and passion.  Small businesses encounter many different challenges.  No matter what stage of business you are in, from start up and proactive strategic planning, to years of operations, at Schmeltzer Law I can assist you with many small business and contract matters, including business structure at start-up, operating agreements and contract or partner disputes.

Contract Drafting and Negotiations

In America, the freedom to enter into contracts is a constitutional right. In fact, we enter into many contracts throughout our daily lives, such as when purchasing a new cellular phone plan, a car, obtaining television service, or leasing space in a building. When you enter into a contract each party has a duty to perform some act (i.e. pay rent / provide space in a building), and has rights (i.e. enjoy and use the space in a building / receive rental payments).

Breach of Contract

In a perfect world you enter into agreements, and everyone receives a benefit, both are happy with the outcome, and there are no disputes. However, on occasion agreements and contracts do not go as planned. Whether a verbal or written contract the terms of a contract may not be fulfilled for some reason, or the contract is misinterpreted by someone.

Business Formation

When you are thinking of starting a new business, a critical first step of the planning process is to determine what type of business you wish to form. While you may already have a business you plan in place regarding the service or product you will be providing to the community, such as a restaurant, a retail store, a wholesaler, or offering professional services, it is important to determine the form the business will be registered as.

Partnership and Shareholder Disputes

With the exception of a sole proprietorship, small businesses often have more than one “owner.” Business owned as a partnership or a corporation with shareholders may have many “owners.” In the beginning partners or shareholders typically see eye-to-eye on management styles, marketing, business operations, finances, or otherwise, but as time goes on and challenges to the business may arise, partners or shareholders could find themselves in disagreements about the future management of the business.

Landlord – Tenant

From the initial contracting stage, to the termination of the contract, either at the time the lease is due to expire, or early termination due to breach of contract, the statutory scheme which landlord-tenant laws fall under is meant to outline a fair and equitable agreement between the landlord and tenant.

Schmeltzer Law, your Small Business attorney in Traverse City and Northern Michigan!

Schmeltzer Law is based in Traverse City, Michigan, and practices throughout the state of Michigan.

Contract – Drafting and Negotiations

In America, the freedom to enter into contracts is a constitutional right.  In fact, we enter into many contracts throughout our daily lives, such as when purchasing a new cellular phone plan, a car, obtaining television service, or leasing space in a building.  When you enter into a contract each party has a duty to perform some act (i.e. pay rent / provide space in a building), and has rights (i.e. enjoy and use the space in a building / receive rental payments).

Breach of Contract

In a perfect world you enter into agreements, and everyone receives a benefit, both are happy with the outcome, and there are no disputes.  However, on occasion agreements and contracts do not go as planned.  Whether a verbal or written contract the terms of a contract may not be fulfilled for some reason, or the contract is misinterpreted by someone.

Business Formation

When you are thinking of starting a new business, a critical first step of the planning process is to determine what type of business you wish to form.  While you may already have a business you plan in place regarding the service or product you will be providing to the community, such as a restaurant, a retail store, a wholesaler, or offering professional services, it is important to determine the form the business will be registered as.

Partnership and Shareholder Disputes

With the exception of a sole proprietorship, small businesses often have more than one “owner.”  Business owned as a partnership or a corporation with shareholders  may have many “owners.”  In the beginning partners or shareholders typically see eye-to-eye on management styles, marketing, business operations, finances, or otherwise, but as time goes on and challenges to the business may arise, partners or shareholders could find themselves in disagreements about the future management of the business.

Landlord – Tenant

From the initial contracting stage, to the termination of the contract, either at the time the lease is due to expire, or early termination due to breach of contract, the statutory scheme which landlord-tenant laws fall under is meant to outline a fair and equitable agreement between the landlord and tenant.

Schmeltzer Law, your Probate & Estate attorney in Traverse City and Northern Michigan!

Schmeltzer Law is based in Traverse City, Michigan, and practices throughout the state of Michigan.